Module QXS-2002:Integrated English Skills 2

Module Facts

Run by School of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics

10 Credits or 5 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser:
Miss Debbie Garlick

Overall aims and purpose

This course, available only to non-native speakers of English, aims to develop students' English language competence in speaking, listening, reading and writing so that they can use the language with greater ease and fluency. The course will enable students to perform more effectively in their academic work in a British university context. It will also enable them to adapt their English to a variety of cultural situations so that they can develop their own interests within an English language cultural setting.

Course content

This course is only available to students whose native language is not English.

Optional for second year students on any course.

This module is a wide-ranging topic-based course which utilises a multi-media approach to language learning. Various techniques and materials are used, including video tapes and authentic reading texts. The course places particular emphasis on Writing skills, Reading skills, Vocabulary development and Communicative grammar. The six broad topics around which this language work takes place are the Media, Learning & Teaching, Science & Technology, Entertainment, Crime & Punishment, and Stranger and Fiction. Handouts of materials are provided for students.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

40% A student has achieved the minimum acceptable standard of competence in coursework and examination relating to the learning outcomes above (equivalent to IELTS 6.0)
A student shows the ability to produce basic written English for a variety of purposes and has some awareness of structure, content, style and grammatical accuracy. S/he is able to discuss statistical information at a basic level but may not be aware of implications arising from it. There are some errors in grammar and format in the majority of written work.

good

55% A student has achieved a good standard of competence in coursework and examination relating to the learning outcomes above
(equivalent to IELTS 6.5)
A student shows the ability to produce good written English for a variety of purposes and in a variety of registers and has good awareness of structure, content, style and grammatical accuracy. S/he is able to discuss statistical information well and demonstrates some awareness of implications arising from it but may not explore these fully. There are only a few errors in grammar and/or format in all written work but these do not interfere with the communication of ideas.

excellent

70% A student has achieved an exceptional standard of competence in coursework and examination relating to the learning outcomes above (equivalent to IELTS 7.0 or above)
A student shows the ability to produce excellent written English for a variety of purposes and in a variety of registers and has very good awareness of structure, content, style and grammatical accuracy. S/he is able to discuss statistical information with knowledge and understanding and with excellent awareness of any implications arising from it. There are very few errors in grammar or format in all written work and communication of ideas is clear and effective.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, a student will:

Be able to use English in listening, speaking, reading and writing at a level equivalent to IELTS 6.0 and above.

Be able to read authentic texts with speed and accuracy in order to extract and discuss important points.

Be able to make observations on the use of style, grammar and vocabulary in authentic English texts.

Be able to use grammatically accurate English.

Be able to distinguish between different registers of written English (formal/informal, academic/non-academic etc.).

Be able to write appropriately in a variety of registers in English.

Assessment Methods

Type

Name

Description

Weight

EXAM

Integrated English Skills Exam

40

Written assignment, including essay

Assignment 3 Essay on Technology

20

Written assignment, including essay

Assignment 2 Short essay on Education

20

Written assignment, including essay

Assignment TV

20

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours

Seminar

Teaching consists of a two-hour interactive class each week for 12 weeks. Students are expected to do a considerable amount of independent study in preparation for, and in addition to, the assessed assignments.

100

Transferable skills

Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media

Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy

Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software

Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance

Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives

Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information

Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others

Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.

Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations

Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.

Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team

Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others

Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly

Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)

Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in